HAMPTON, New Hampshire — Sen. Tim Scott sidestepped questions Sunday about former President Donald Trump’s birther attack on his 2024 foe Nikki Haley.
As Trump fights to oust Haley and cement a 2024 GOP victory, he has traded false insinuations that his former UN ambassador is ineligible for the presidency because of his Indian parents’ citizenship status, and has used her birth name Nimarata, despite the fact that she goes by Nikki.
Scott (RS.C.) sighed when asked if he was comfortable with the attack.
“I watch the rhetoric on all sides of the issue,” Scott told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. “The rhetoric from Joe Biden is appalling and it’s obscene. Nikki Haley questions whether 70-year-olds should be allowed to run for president.”
I think there is so much negativity and toxicity in this goal of being president.”
When pressed further by the Dana Bash host, Scott replied, “I want all politicians to adjust in a way that is consistent with the highest office on the campaign trail.”
The South Carolina senator, who endorsed Trump on Friday, argued that it was time for the party to unite behind the 45th president and focus slings and arrows on President Biden.
Tim Scott can’t wait for Donald Trump and hopes Republicans will unite around him. AP
Scott’s support of Trump is significant because after New Hampshire, Haley has bet big on a strong showing in her home state of South Carolina.
Trump touted his overwhelming support from South Carolina Republicans including Scott and Gov. Henry McMaster during a rally this weekend.
“You’re not going to see me have a lot of legislative support in South Carolina,” Haley told reporters during a brief banter Saturday, before ticking off some of the laws she’s championing that state officials don’t like.
“And the reason is, I forced them to start showing their vote on the record, against their will – that’s documented,” he continued. “I forced them to pass ethics reform, even if they didn’t want to.”
Nikki Haley believes the fight for the 2024 Republican nomination will drag on. AFP via Getty Images
Haley appointed Scott to the Senate in 2013 when she needed to fill the vacancy left by retiring Sen. Jim DeMint. He admitted Saturday that, “of course I’m disappointed [Scott endorsed Trump]he has to live with that.”
His top successor in the Granite State, Gov. Chris Sununu, was tougher on Scott.
“Tim Scott actually just looked into the camera and said ‘Donald Trump is going to unite the country.’ Even Donald Trump doesn’t believe that statement,” Sununu told Fox News Saturday. “I mean, nobody thought Donald Trump would unite the country.”
Bash also referred to Scott about Trump referring to the January 6, 2021 Capitol rioters as “hostages” during several of his stump speeches.
Donald Trump hopes to further strengthen his large lead for the GOP with another victory. Getty Images
“I would say that everyone who has to deal with our justice system should get justice. The facts and evidence in each individual case are important. I am confident that the process will go smoothly,” he replied.
After searching the Capitol, Scott, a former football player, recalled rolling up his sleeves ready to defend himself “maybe until I die.”
The CNN host pressed Scott repeatedly on Trump calling the mob “hostages.” On the third try, Scott admitted he didn’t agree with that.
“Only the third time, yes,” he answered quickly. “I believe that we should have the confidence to restore the blindfold to Lady Justice.”
Donald Trump has hinted he will pardon many of the Capitol rioters Jan. 6. James Keivom
Since the Capitol riots, at least 1,247 individuals have been charged, 907 have been convicted, and 766 have been sentenced, according to an Associated Press tracker.
Scott pulled out of the 2024 competition in November last year.
Haley is widely seen as Trump’s chief foe in his quest to lock up his third GOP nomination for president.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
